Solo Music Gear TCK-12 User manual

Copyright © 2011 Solo Music Gear. All rights reserved
Solo Tele Style DIY
Electric Guitar Kit
Assembly Manual
TCK-12
V 1.02

Solo Tele Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit
Copyright © 2011 Solo Music Gear. All rights reserved | v1.02
1
Materials List
Hex threaded peghead bushings with washers (12 pcs)
String Retainers (2 pcs, 2 mounting screw included)
Neck
Tuning Machines (12 pcs, 12 mounting screws included)
Strings (12 pcs)
Strap Buttons (2 pcs, 2 mounting screws included)
Pickguard Assembly (8 mounting screws included)
Bridge Assembly (3 mounting screws included)
Body
Neck Plate (4 mounting screws included)
Control Plate Assembly (2 mounting screws included)
Jack plate (2 mounting screws included)
Cord
Hex wrench for truss-rod adjustment
Allen Key for saddle height adjustment
Show Off Your Custom Built Guitar!
W
hen you have your guitar finished, please take a few pictures and send them to us for potential posting into
the picture gallery on our website.
Post your photos to our Facebook page
http://Facebook.com/SoloMusicGear
Post your photos to The Solo Café
http://TheSoloCafe.com
Remember, you can always find us online at http://SoloMusicGear.com to upgrade your parts, try a new kit,
or ask us a question.

Solo Tele Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit
Copyright © 2011 Solo Music Gear. All rights reserved | v1.02
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Thank you for purchasing a Solo DIY guitar kit. This unfinished guitar kit has everything for building an
electric bass guitar –you will need only some basic tools and finishing supplies. All challenging wood
cutting, drilling and shaping is already professionally done, as well as fret leveling and dressing.
1. CHECKLIST
Before you start working on your DIY guitar project, please check all the parts received in this kit using the
materials list above.
2. TOOLS AND MATERIALS NEEDED
You will need the following tools and materials:
1. Sand Paper (180, 240 and 320 grit)
2. Sanding Block
3. Soldering Iron & Solder
4. Masking Tape
5. Finishing Supplies
6. Screwdrivers
7. Power Drill
3. SAFETY MEASURES
Some woodworking skills are required to complete this project. Always be aware of the necessary safety
precautions and follow them –be sure to use safety glasses and a dust mask when you are working with any
tools. If you are a novice, you should look for help and guidance of a more experienced friend. And never
forget that it’s always better safe than sorry.
4. FINISHING THE BODY AND NECK
Before you start finishing the neck, please inspect the frets and the fingerboard. Even though all wood is kiln-
dried it may still shrink a little so you may get sharp fret edges.
In this case you need to use a fine needle file (Emory boards for finger nails can be used instead) to remove all
sharp edges: first make all fret edges flat with the fretboard edges on both sides, than use masking tape on
the top of the fretboard to protect it, and work on each fret’s edge to smooth it by slightly rounding it. Before
removing the masking tape, consider polishing the frets with fine steel wool.
STEP 1 –The body and neck have been coated with a poly resin sealant. They need to be sanded before

Solo Tele Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit
Copyright © 2011 Solo Music Gear. All rights reserved | v1.02
3
finishing. DO NOT SAND THE FINGERBOARD.
For sanding both neck and body, use a flat sanding block for all flat surfaces and by hand for edges and
rounded/curved surfaces. Start with 180 grit sandpaper, continue with 240 and finish with 320, always
moving along the grain only. Before the final sanding, wipe the wood with a damp cloth and let it dry to raise
the wood grain.
STEP 2 –There are many different ways to apply finish to your guitar. Do a little research to decide which
type of finish you want to use. One good starting point is to review tutorials at the Project Guitar website:
http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/tutorial5.htm
STEP 3 - For any type of spraying finish (lacquer or paint) you will need to mask three areas with masking
tape: neck pocket on the body, neck’s fingerboard and truss rod nut. Press the tape tightly to the wood, not
allowing any gaps at the edges, to completely prevent the finish leaking to these areas.
STEP 4 - You will also need to make hangers for both the body and neck (if you want to apply
any spraying finish). Make them from a strong metal wire (wire dress/coat hanger can be used for it).
STEP 5 –Apply the finish by following the manufacturer instructions. Remember that spraying the finish is not
an easy process as it requires certain skill and experience –you might want to practice first on some scrap
wood. Always remember your safety –work only in a well ventilated area, away from any open fire and wear
a respirator mask and safety glasses.
STEP 6 –Final polishing for high gloss finishes can be done manually or using a power drill with a foam
polishing pad. The finishing tools and materials are readily available in many automotive/hardware supplies
stores.
TIP: Consider an oil rubbed finish (sometimes called “wipe-on oil finish”) as a good and safe alternative.
Tru-Oil® (known as a “Gun Stock Finish”, based on Linseed Oil) or Waterlox® (Processed Tung Oil) is highly
recommended. Oil finishing takes longer, but it is very safe and easy to apply and a high quality finish can
be achieved, even by a novice.
5. ASSEMBLY
STEP 1 –Install the Machine Heads and String Tree Retainers on the neck’s headstock. Use the threaded hex
peghead bushings with washers - initially tightening them with your fingers only. Align each machine head to
match the holes for mounting screws and use the screws to secure the heads. Finally, tighten the hex bushings
with a socket wrench (or regular hex wrench). Note that string tree retainers have different heights; install the
higher one with a longer screw between the 3rd and 4th strings (G and D), and a shorter one between the 1st
and 2nd (E and B) strings.
STEP 2 - Attach the neck to the body using 4 screws with a neckplate and a setter.

Solo Tele Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit
Copyright © 2011 Solo Music Gear. All rights reserved | v1.02
4
STEP 3 –Install the bridge. First insert the ground wire (the insulation must be removed on both ends,
about 1/3” – 8mm max) into the hole between the predrilled mounting screw holes and the bridge pickup
cavity (pull it through the second hole into the control cavity). Make sure that enough length of bare metal
wire is left on top of the body to make a secure contact with the bridge. Now, take the bridge with the
mounted pickup and insert the pickup’s wire into the hole between the pickup cavity and the control
cavity. Align the bridge with mounting screw holes and attach it tightly with 4 screws (7/8”).
STEP 4 –Install the pickguard. First, insert the neck pickup wire into the hole at the pickup cavity and
push it all the way through into the control cavity. Properly align and secure it with 8 screws (15/32”).
Do not over tighten the screws as it can crack the pickguard.
STEP 5 - Wire the control plate and pickups, ground wire and output jack. For wiring instructions, use
the diagram on the last page of this manual.
STEP 6 –After you complete the wiring, install the jackplate with the jack using 4 mounting screws, and then
install the control plate with 2 screws.
STEP 7 –Before stringing your guitar, apply some oil to the Rosewood fingerboard to protect it from possible
shrinking and cracking. Tung oil or Linseed oil work well, or it’s OK to use Walnut or Olive oil. One thin layer is
enough. Wipe the fingerboard thoroughly with a clean cloth.
STEP 8 –Install the strings by inserting them through the holes on the back of the bridge, over the bridge
saddles. There are a few different ways to wrap the strings around the post of a tuning head. When
threading the string through the post hole, bring it tight before wrapping it in the opposite direction of the
threading, under and then back over the string and around the post, holding it tight as you tighten to pitch.
Wrapping each string around two-three times should be enough.
6. TUNING AND SETUP
Tuning a 12-string guitar:
A 12 string guitar is split up into 6 pairs of 2 strings. The thicker string of the pair is tuned to the same note and octave as
a regular 6 string guitar. The thinner string, on the pair of strings 3-6, is tuned one octave higher than its pair.
Standard tuning of a 12-string guitar:
The open strings are tuned in pairs as follows:
•2 E strings tuned in octave (2nd octave and 3rd octave)
•2 A strings tuned in octave (2nd octave and 3rd octave)
•2 D strings tuned in octave (3rd octave and 4th octave)
•2 G strings tuned in octave (3rd octave and 4th octave)
•2 B strings tuned in unison (3rd h octave)
•2 E strings tuned in unison (4th octave)

Solo Tele Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit
Copyright © 2011 Solo Music Gear. All rights reserved | v1.02
5
There are different methods to tune a guitar. Using a digital tuner is the easiest way. However, it is good to
learn tuning (and checking the accuracy of tuning) by ear with natural harmonics, unisons, octaves etc.
Guitar playability and intonation depends on its setup, so you may want to spend some time mastering the
necessary skills –be persistent in finding the optimal action (string height), neck relief and intonation
throughout the entire neck.
Adjusting Strings Height:
String height is adjusted by the bridge saddle screws (use included Allen key). Since the fretboard has a
radius (12”), the heights of all strings should also match it. Thicker strings need more room for vibratio n
without “buzzing” (touching frets) and must be set up higher than thinner strings. Low action allows
easier fretting and faster playing. Recommended measurements for electric guitar with low action:
For the 1st String (the thinnest) –height at the 1st fret: 0.01” – 0.016” (0.25 – 0.4mm); at the 12th
fret: .063” – .078” (1.6 - 2mm).
For the 6th String (the thickest) –height at the 1st fret: 0.016” – 0.024” (0.4 – 0.6mm); at the 12th
fret: .078” – .01” (2 – 2.5mm).
The height at the first fret can be adjusted by cutting deeper slots for strings at the nut. However,
it needs a very precise job not to spoil the nut. If you are not sure that you can do it properly, stay
with a factory pre-cut nut.
A higher string action makes the guitar harder to play, yet some musicians may prefer it.
Adjusting Neck Relief:
The truss rod compensates for string tension and allows adjusting the neck relief. You may need such
adjustment due to changes of humidity and temperature (or if you switch strings to a different gaug e).
Lay a straight edge on the frets of a properly tuned guitar and measure the clearance at the 8th fret
(alternatively you can put a capo on the first fret and press down 6th string at 16th fret –then the height
of the string at the 8th fret will show you the clearance). Optimal relief for an electric guitar neck must
be very small –around .001”- 002” (0.25 - 0.5mm). Turning the truss rod nut (with the included Allen
key) clockwise will reduce neck relief and turning it counterclockwise will increase th e relief. Be very
careful with truss rod adjustments and never turn the nut more than ¼ of a turn at a time.
Adjusting Intonation:
The “speaking length” (or “working length”) of each string can be adjusted by turning the saddle position
adjustment screw. The best intonation can be achieved when the string fretted at the 12 fret sounds
precisely an octave higher than the open string. If the fretted string sounds sharper you need to increase

Solo Tele Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit
Copyright © 2011 Solo Music Gear. All rights reserved | v1.02
6
the working length of the string by moving the saddle away from the neck. If it sounds flat, you need to
shorten the working length of the string by moving the saddle towards the neck. The alternative way to
intonate your guitar is to compare a natural octave harmonic of the open string (you can get it by
touching the string exactly above the 12th and picking it) to the pitch of the string fretted at the 12th fret
and adjusting the saddle position so that they sound the same. This method is less accurate because the
fretted string sounds a bit sharper due to the height of the string, and the higher the action, the sharper
it gets.
Adjusting Pickup Height:
Before adjusting the pickup height, make sure that both the volume and tone controls on your guitar are set
to the full (“10”) position. Get your amp set to a medium/low volume and all tone controls to the middle.
You will get a better picture of the pickup’s tone change during its height adjustment with a clear sound.
There is no universal “optimal” pickup height position in a setup – it depends on playing style and personal
preferences of a guitarist. Remember: bringing a pickup closer to the strings makes it sound brighter, but
bringing it too close will make the magnetic field of the pickup interfere with the vibration of a string which
will, not only result in reduced sustain, but may also cause complex harmonics sound rather unpleasant.
Moving a pickup too far from the strings will result in loss of its output signal and some higher frequencies.
It’s not necessary to maintain an even height of the pickup –you may find it more satisfactory sounding by
setting it somewhat angled, depending on what you are looking for in the output sound.
There are a few mm of real usable range where you can find the pickup tone that you’ll like the best.

Solo Tele Style DIY Electric Guitar Kit
Copyright © 2011 Solo Music Gear. All rights reserved | v1.02
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TCK-12 Wiring Diagram